Beer Sessions Radio (tm)

This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is continuing with this month's Craft Malt Conference theme, speaking with Dennis and Jeanette Nesel and Mike Renganeschi of Hudson Valley Brewery, and Sam Merrett Captain of Schooner Apollonia. The gang talks about the project Sam has relentlessly or passionately (depending on who you ask) led over the past few years to transport malt, among other products, in an entirely carbon-neutral way. From transporting malt down the original superhighway of the Hudson Valley River on Schooner Apollonia to biking it from the shore to the brewery to making malt the old-fashion way, Captain Sam and the crew at Hudson Valley Brewery are reshaping what it means to brew local beer. Grab your favorite eco-friendly brewed beer and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at

The week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is gearing up for the Craft Malt Conference and heads to Farmingham to speak with Matthew Steinberg at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company. Matthew talks about how local ingredients and partnerships are central to beer production at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, and details a few initiatives including the Square Foot Project and Square Foot Saturdays to Build Better Beer. He also talks about all the wonderful support Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing received from their neighbors, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, to the local maltsters and grain roasters, to Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing’s own incredible staff. Finally, Jimmy and Mathew paint a picture of Framingham from its breweries to its great tacos and Brazilian restaurants. Give it a listen on the train from Boston to Framingham and enjoy all that Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing has to offer!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at h

This week on Beer Session Jimmy is talking about locally sourced grains with June Russell, Director of Regional Food Programs at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming, and Joel Alex, of Blue Ox Malthouse. Both June and Joe talk about their experience promoting local grains in regional markets from baking to brewing. Joel explains the process of floor malting. June talks about how much of a commitment it can be for farmers to start growing new grains. Finally, the gang talks about their plans for the upcoming virtual 2022 Craft Malt Conference on February 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26nd. Grab a beer made with local grains and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy is talking about homebrewing and The American Homebrewers Association with Julia Herz, executive director of The American Homebrewers Association; Ethan Cox of Community Beer Works; and Jeff Lyons of Endless Life Brewing. Julia talks about her role as being a voice and advocate for the hobby she loves. She also covers everything from the history of homebrew since Mesopotamia to the styles of beer and homebrewing popular today. Jeff talks about how homebrewing compares to working in a brewery and the unique styles of beer homebrewing helps to develop. Ethan and Jimmy talk about their all New York State beer in the works. And Ethan details New York State's rich history with hops production. Grab your homebrew, and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at htt

This week on beer sessions radio Jimmy is talking to some warmer weather breweries with Jordan Gardenhire, founder and brewmaster of Baja Brewing Company, and Katie Lowe brewmeister of Koko’s Bavarian. Katie talks about the vision of Koko’s Bavarian led by people like the Prince Koko of Bavaria and celebrity chef Tim Love. Jordan tells some crazy stories like lifting brewing equipment out of the roof of a building and weathering some of the most severe hurricanes that have impacted the business. Both Katie and Jordan describe what makes their homes from the breweries of Austin to the shores of Baja unique and how that comes through in their beers. Grab a beer from your favorite warm-weather brewery and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions Jimmy is talking cider with Brighid O'Keane, executive director of The Cider Institute of North America (CINA); Christine Walter, head cider maker and owner of Bauman’s Cider; Ryan Burk, head cider maker of Angry Orchards and board member of The Cider Institute of North America; and Kira Bassingthwaighte, head cider maker for Western Cider. Brighid O'Keane introduces the Cider Institute of North America and its mission. Ryan talks about how the American cider scene has grown and where it might be heading. Christine walks through how her family farm as well as her scientific background has shaped her cider production. Kira talks about Montana's culture of grain as well as the unique diversity of apples. The episode finishes with recommendations for in-person and virtual courses offered by the Cider Institute of North America for aspiring cider makers. Grab your favorite cider and give it a listen.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer S

This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is talking about distribution in New York City with Ken Landin and Patrick Sylvester of Crossroads Brewing, James Zinkand, owner of Misguided Spirits, and Megan Rickerson, owner of Someday NYC. The gang highlights the challenges Covid has brought to the industry. James talks about his experience from Eataly to Miller Coors to Revolution Brewing and how it led him to open Misguided Spirits. Megan explains how relationships with local producers and distributors have become more meaningful than ever. Kenny talks about the choice to do business upstate versus in the city. And Patrick highlights the way IPA’s have evolved over the years and offers some local liquor and beer pairings. Support a local brewery or distiller and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic

This week on Beer Sessions (the last Beer Sessions of 2021!) Jimmy is talking about the greatest hits of 2021 and beer dessert pairings with Julia Herz, executive director of the American Homebrewers Association and author, Jerard Fagerberg, freelance beer writer, and Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of The Vintage Baker. Jessie details some of her newest recipes, including some that will appear in her upcoming cookbook, Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy Recipes for Exceptionally Scrumptious Sweets and Treats. The group talks about some of the best changes 2021 has brought to the beer world. Julia talks about how The Brave Noise Project is helping to eliminate bias and harassment in the beverage industry while offering an accessible homebrew recipe. Jerard talks about the resurgence of unions. Finally, the gang takes on the beer and dessert pairing challenge. Look no further for holiday dessert inspiration and their respective drink pairings. Grab a beer and a sweet treat and give it a listen! Herita

This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy is talking about giving back with Karen Lawson of Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont, Erin Maciel of Honesta Coffee, and Richard Thomas of Argyle Brewing Company. Karen talks about how Lawson’s Finest Liquids has used their Sunshine Fund to help support causes in their community from the Vermont River Conservancy to Pathways Vermont. Erin details Cafe Honesta’s support of local farms in Brazil and the steps they’ve taken to empower female entrepreneurs. And Richard explains how hosting community markets has helped bring their community together while supporting local artisans. Grab a beer from your favorite brewer that gives back, and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy puts down the beer to light up the conversation about marijuana with Max Bookman, partner at Pesetsky & Bookman, and Andrew Mutty, co-owner of Beantown Greentown. Max covers what's been holding up the establishment of dispensaries in New York City, and what you need to know if you’re looking to open your own dispensary. Andrew points out some lessons from Massachusetts that can help guide the way for New York. The gang discusses how new laws are striving to empower marginalized groups to lead the way in the legal distribution of weed, and how the requirements of those laws might play out in practice. They touch on why your local dispensary feels so different from your local bar, and how a change in federal law might dramatically change the marijuana industry, from allowing cross-state distribution to empowering veterans with more medicinal alternatives. Swap your beer for a joint this week and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podca

Happy Thanksgiving from the BSR family to yours! Instead of turkey and beer pairings, Jimmy takes the road less traveled this week, diving into fermentation. On the show is Gabe Toth, distillery manager, former brewer, and author of the Fermentation Kitchen for the Brewer’s Association, and Brandon Buza, a connoisseur of all things yeast, bacteria, and the tasty stuff they can produce. Gabe talks about his personal journey from fermenting for the first time as a homebrewer to writing a cookbook on fermented foods, and Brandon weighs in on the importance of curiosity, passion, and community in the world of fermentation. Kick back and get ready for a few surprises on this funky, fermented episode!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Jimmy is talking doomsday drinking with Chris Maestro, owner of Bierwax, Thomas Gaulkin, editor at The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, and  Aaron Goldfarb, journalist, and author of Hacking Whiskey. From nuclear apocalypse to climate change, how might a disaster affect your favorite beer? Thomas talks about some of the little-known science of the food industry, including the radiation that might be used to produce some of your favorite foods. Chris gives an exciting window into the history of Japanese record bars and the opening of Bierwax’s new location in Queens. And Aaron talks about some of the more creative developments in the whiskey world. Grab your desert island beer and give it a listen!Support Bierwax's IndieGoGo campaign.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p

This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy sits down with Tim Webb and Steven Beaumont, co-authors of the 3rd Edition of The World Atlas of Beer. Tim and Steven detail their paths to becoming some of the most renowned beer authors. They talk about the enormous growth the world of craft beer has seen in the past twenty years with now 45 countries having booming beer scenes. And they touch on what defines local variety. Of course, the gang gives recommendations for their favorite beers and pubs. And finally, they dive into what changes we can expect to see in the beer world looking forward. Grab your favorite beer from anywhere around the world and give it a listen.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Jimmy dives into the history of working-class drinking with PJ Mercier, founder of Navigation Brewing in Lowell, Massachusetts, BR Royla, national judge for BJCP, Peter Brown, British journalist and writer, and Jerard Fagerberg, writer and journalist. From Jack Kerouac to British coal mines, the gang pieces through where pub myth and legend meet reality. The writers attest to the dangers of writing drunk. The group explores how beer and drinking have been such an integral part of working-class community and culture from Lowell to Minneapolis to England. And they touch on what it means to reconcile those identities today through their taprooms and writing. Grab your favorite porter and give it a listen!Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Jimmy heads up to Cambridge to have a tasting with Soham Bhatt at Artifact Cider Project. Jimmy and Soham talk through the brief history of northeast cider as well as the founding of The Artifact Cider Project. They touch on how Artifact Cider Project has created cider deeply connected to both the landscape and the history of the Northeast. And finally, how through offering a knowledgeable staff as well as unique and casual bar food pairings, Artifact Cider Project is helping more consumers than ever enjoy all cider has to offer. Pick up your favorite cider and enjoy learning more about the world of Northeast cider!Cider List:Wolf at The DoorFeels Like HomeNo New FriendsMagic HourGold Rush Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Jimmy explores the local sourcing and supply chains that bring you some of the best beers with Geoff Wenzel, R&D brewer at Industrial Arts Brewing, Mike McManus, director of brewing operations at Industrial Arts Brewing, Phil Neumann with Mainstem Malt, and Kevin Kain, beer blogger @Casketbeer. Kevin and Mike start us off diving into the local sourcing of ingredients from New York State and highlight Industrial Arts Brewing’s landscape series. Everyone emphasizes how local farm partnerships, as well as storage and production techniques, have dramatically improved our access to high-quality local ingredients over the past ten years. Phil notes how despite the challenges of Covid in the craft malt industry, a surprising benefit might be that the average consumer now knows the word supply chain. Crack a locally sourced beer and have a listen!Beer List:Industrial Arts Brewing Company - Autumn Landscape Festbier Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Se

Jimmy heads to Boston for the 600th episode of BSR! We catch up with Chris Lohring, founder of Notch Brewing, to talk pilsner traditions, decoction, as well as the new Notch Tap Room and Brewery at the Charles River Speedway in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood. For the second year in a row, Jimmy is tapping and tasting the extremely limited, Pitch Lined Pils. Take a journey through history as Chris walks us through the process of bringing this old-world technique back, from sourcing to brewing. This is the ultimate Beer Geek episode! Crack a Bavarian Lager and have a listen.A special note: Our hearts go out to the beloved Anne Saxelby, who passed this week. In the words of Jimmy, “Her legacy is in everything around us: The food we eat, the people we know, the memories of tastes like “Comersdale” and “Moses Sleeper”. We will never forget. Much love.” Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Beer Sessions Radio by becoming a member!Beer Sessions Radio is Powered by Simplec

This week on Beer Sessions, a celebration of Cider Week! Jimmy talks about everything Cider with Steve Selin, owner of South Hill Cider; Mike Reis, owner of Redfield Cider; Karl du Hoffman, owner of Orchard Hill Cider; and Paige Fiori, owner of Boutique Wines and Spirits in Fishkill NY. Steve and Mike dive into the exciting experimentation happening in cider, from exploring new spices and fruits to fire pressure in California driving many winemakers to explore the possibilities of cider. Mike and Paige talk about what it takes to get consumers interested in cider and break down how they choose the selection of ciders they offer from shelves to tasting rooms. Speaking of unique ciders, Karl and Jimmy dive into the novelty of the pommeau, from its minimum aging time of three years to the unique depth and fruitiness one can expect. Finally, the episode concludes with the gang trying to summarize New York cider in three words. To quote Jimmy, “Oh boy wow!”Cider listSouth Hill Cider, PackbasketSouth Hill Cider, Go

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy is all about lagers! On the show, Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible, and Jack Hendler, the co-owner of Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, Massachusetts, talk about everything from the brewing process to the history and future of craft lagers. Jimmy kicks us off by asking Jack why he chose to brew lagers. Jack dives into the real lack of lagers on the American craft beer market today. Jeff explains how a rise in Hazy IPAs among other things necessitated a refresh of The Beer Bible. He also dives into the process of decoction and how a single vs. triple decoction beer might differ. Jack and Jeff both launch into a discussion of Hoppy Lagers, including those brewed at Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers and those written about in The Beer Bible. Jimmy notes the Craft malt conference in Portland, ME, on February 18th and 19th. Then, the gang discussed how locally grown barley is shifting the malt scene. After the break, Jack shares 200+ year old breweries in Germany are star

This week Jimmy talks about the growing trends of second-use fruit, farmhouse ales, and natural carbonation with guests Jake Endres, cofounder of Crooked Run Fermentation, Ian Kalmes, head brewer at Transmitter Brewing, and Mandy Naglich from @Beerswithmandy. To kick things off, Jimmy dives right into the benefits of the increasingly popular technique of second-use fruit in crafting beers. Mandy explains the benefits of second-use fruit as creating a beer with a subtle fruity flavor while also being a sustainable way to reuse produce. Jimmy then asks Jake about the evolution of Crooked Run Fermentation, previously known as Crooked Run Brewing. Such a transformation, as Jake explains, came about as they experimented with blends of fruit wines and realized they wanted to expand into new fermentation territory. Jake goes on to talk about Crooked Run’s first exploration into second-use fruit with the use of pomace in their Newfangled Farmhouse Ale. Mandy chimes in with her experience and explains how hardier frui